Young People in the Highlands and Islands Moray Community Planning Partnership Date

The Issue – The “Missing 18500” If the Highlands and Islands had the same age structure as Scotland, there would be (25%) more young people in the 15 to 30 age group. Figure for Moray is 2826 (19%)

Outline Demographic Context – Regional and Local Youth Migration Study Brief and Methodology Key Findings – Regional and Local Target Groups The 4 “E”s In the words of our young people Policy Development Discussion

Net Migration by Age average Highlands and Islands (HIE area) Source:General Register Office for Scotland Ref: P219/H&Ipro/ avemigcht

Cumulative Net Migration by Age in the Highlands and Islands Sub Regions

15-30 Year Old Population Trends

Population Distribution

2061 (36%) 1371 (34%) 1963 (33%) 873 (27%) 632 (16%) 4703 (19%) 2826 (19%) 4118 (40%) Young Person Population Gap: Increase in Population needed to Fill Youth Population Gap

Objectives Explore attitudes to living, studying and working in the Highlands and Islands Establish factors that influence migration Identify appropriate initiatives Establish baseline

Responses H&I Responses 1500 school pupils, 1600 young adults, 300 young adults living in other parts of the UK Gender Female 60% Male 40% Moray 218 in total 203 schools response

Drivers Young People in the Highlands & Islands Current Reality Economic Growth Future Trends Sustainable Communities New Industries Labour Market Conditions

Describing Home Communities by Administrative and Socio-economic Region

Perceptions

Positive Perceptions Few opportunities to access to university and college courses (43% v 48%) A place where everyone knows my business (42% v 56%) A place where it is OK to be different (38% v 35%) Remember the majority of respondents are 18 and under and this is reflected in their views compared to all respondents in the survey

Proud to be associated with the area (61% v 72%) A good place to bring up a family (73% v 82%) A place that values its young people (26% v 31%) A place that I feel safe (66% v 80%) A boring place to live (44% v 40%) A good place to live as a teenager (44% v 50%) Less Positive Perceptions

Perceptions – Variations across Region Argyll and Bute Fewer job opportunities Lower levels of tolerance More suited to retired people and less suited to young people Orkney A good place to live as a young person or with a family, with value placed on young people Stronger affinity to the area Better job prospects, but few which pay well Shetland Better job prospects Stronger affinity to the area More suited to retired people and less suited to young people Caithness and Sutherland Fewer job opportunities A good place to grow up in InnseGall Poor economic opportunities Much stronger affinity to the area Lower level of tolerance of differences Value their young people and teenager and family friendly Inner Moray Firth More suited to young people Less safe Better paying jobs Moray Weaker affinity with the area Better access to educational opportunities Less value placed on young people and less family and teenager friendly Lochaber, Skye and WesterRoss Less suited to the needs of young people, but a good place to live later in life Very safe and relatively tolerant Highlands and Islands P219/snap analysis 2/areas/comparison areas/LEC area comparisons/pp comparison slide

Predicted Living Location at Key Life Stages Very similar to Inverness, Lochaber and Easter Ross

Attitude by Gender

Perceptions by age: training and employment opportunities in the Highlands and Islands

Perceptions by Age: Young People’s Experiences of Life in the H&I

Perceptions by Age: Appeal of Highlands and Islands to Specific Age Groups

Push and Pull Factors Push Factors Age – Access to Higher Education After Higher Education – top 4 push factors or barriers to returning Lack of employment in relevant industries Lack of well paid jobs Lack of jobs with career progression Opportunity to experience life in a new place Pull factors that would make a difference to returning Broader range of jobs More jobs with career prospects More higher paid jobs Easier access to affordable and mid cost housing More recreational/social opportunities

“ TOP 10 FACTORS” Broader range of jobs More jobs with better career prospects self employment opportunities, including self employment More higher paid jobs available Wider Higher Education curriculum available within H&I and development of associated facilities New emerging employment opportunities in relevant industries Easier access to affordable housing More recreation/social opportunities Cheaper transport links Faster transport links Greater electronic connectivity Natural environment Affinity Connections Economic

Policy Responses Engagement Education Employment Environment

In their own words ……

Effective Intervention All agencies recognise importance of demographic imbalance Alignment of public, private and third sectors Further liaison with young people to identify messages and effective communication channels

Levels of Intervention National Regional Local